Stand firm on binge drinking laws, say health campaigners

North West wellbeing and health campaign group Our Life has expressed concern at reports that the government is considering delaying new laws to tackle the rising unhealthy drinking culture in the UK.

Reports in today’s Times newspaper suggest that “measures to curb binge drinking top a list of regulations to be shelved” as the government looks to curtail parts of its legislative programme in the face of the current economic downturn.

Our Life has reacted angrily to reports that the government’s proposed mandatory code of practice for alcohol retailers might be delayed until after 2011 as part of a “clear out” of anti-business measures believed to have been ordered by the business secretary Lord Mandelson.

Our Life head of corporate affairs Andy Walker said: “The government must stand firmly by its pledges to tackle binge drinking and alcohol harm. Such measures are hugely popular with the public. Only last month 72% of respondents to an Our Life poll called on the government to ban activities such as all-you-can-drink offers and other irresponsible and excessive drinks promotions such as dispensing alcohol directly into customers’ mouths.

“The cost and stress caused to people across the North West by alcohol promotions that result in excessive consumption has gone too far and people want action.

“The promotion of excessive drinking leads to enormous personal distress for families blighted by alcohol harm and is a massive cash burden on policing and the health service. The estimated cost of alcohol-related and alcohol-specific crime in England is £12 billion and the cost to the NHS in the North West region alone is more than £400 million.

“We cannot afford to wait on this until 2011. Instead of listening to the vested interests of the alcohol retailers who would rather the government did nothing, ministers should take note of the views of thousands of people across the North West who want to see effective measures to address alcohol harm and implement a strong code of practice for alcohol retailers as soon as possible.”